HIGH-RESOLUTION 2-DIMENSIONAL ELECTROPHORETIC ANALYSIS OF URINARY PROTEINS OF PATIENTS WITH PROSTATIC-CANCER

In an attempt to identify marker(s) for prostatic cancer, proteins in urines of normal and prostatectomized males and in men with cancerous prostate were analyzed. Only urines collected with protease inhibitors were examined. Two-dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoresis was used for high resolution separation of proteins and the electrophoretograms we re either developed by double stain or the proteins were electrophoret ically transferred onto nitrocellulose for immunological identificatio n. The pool of each group exhibited similar relative positions of majo r protein spots. The study of normal and prostatectomized men identifi ed two proteins denoted as A (36 kDa, pI 6-6.5) and B (23 kDa, pI 6.6) , which were undetectable in the latter group. A visual comparison of the patterns of normals and patients with, cancerous prostate revealed that bath these proteins were undetectable in urines of men with mali gnant prostatic carcinoma (PCA) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and hence may be useful in identifying prostatic carcinoma. Also, whi le protein C 43.5 kDA, pI 6-6.6) was discerned in normals its abundanc e, along with those of proteins D (40 kDa, pI 6-6.4) and E (26.5 kDa, pI 6-6.7), appeared to be higher in BPA than in PCA. Protein F (18-28 kDa, pI 4-5.5) was found in patients with BPH but was undetected in no rmals and men with PCA. Hence, it may become useful in distinguishing BPH from PCA. All the proteins, A to F,appear to be previously unident ified. Their further characterization is warranted.